Do you find that sometimes you get so caught up in the day to day routine that you forget what's almost under your nose or in this case, a day's drive away?
This weekend I spent time in Calgary and a day in Banff, Alberta. Calgary, for all its big city allure, still has pockets where nature is just across the street. I discovered a herd of mule deer just two short blocks away on the Nose Hill. A lovely sanctuary that's peaceful despite the fact that it's surrounded by city lights. However, I wasn't so enthralled with the idea that it was also the home of coyotes and other
predators. Hey, I know they're not apt to confront humans, still I'm a city girl and that hill was their territory! I headed for home after a brief visit and a photo or two.
Then on to Banff. It's been a few years since I've made it to the mountains. Set within a national park, Banff is a small town seemingly locked in time and nestled within the Rockies. The faces of the tourists that ply the streets may have changed somewhat from years gone by but the town itself remains almost timeless. After cruising through the picturesque streets it was time to visit the Banff Springs Hotel, have a drink, relax and enjoy the view.
How can you not be inspired by a view like this?
View from Banff Springs Hotel
And the next day with silver shadows bracketing the road beneath the late afternoon sun, it was back to the prairies. There, trees and grass pierced the snow and ice standing like sentinels as a murky quilt of clouds rose over the horizon and warned of more snow. Hills rolled gently, making a mockery of the prairie flatness and a herd of antelope grazed. And with the mountains long gone, the inspiration was everywhere.
Needless to say, without a New Years resolution - no, not even one,
I came back inspired!
Banff Springs Hotel
What inspires you?
Ryshia
Happy New Year - 2010 the Year of the Tiger
And for a bit of trivia - the actual year of the Tiger begins
February 14, 2010 and ends February 2, 2011
OMG! You went to Banff. You lucky stiff. Ever since I had seen that gorgeous resort on a television show, I've always wanted to go there. One of these days, hon. One of these days... :-)
ReplyDeleteYes but you've been to NY - I can still only dream.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you had a nice trip! I can't wait to go to Banff in the spring for a little skiing. One year I would like to go in the summer, and see what it's like without all the snow. Still pretty I bet!
ReplyDeletePS - I'm on chapter 16!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDeleteTeresa - skiing, that thought crossed my mind, me who hasn't been skiing on anything classed bigger than a hill.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Thanks! I can't ask for a better compliment. One should always improve.
Wow, these photos are breathtaking. I would love to visit Banff.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I love the mountains, too, as well as the ocean shores. I live in the desert, so I can truly be inspired when I visit either of those places!
ReplyDeletereading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
Cherio1 - I found the pics amazing too when I returned home and realized I'd snapped most of those without any effort - the beauty just surrounds you. Well worth the trip!
ReplyDeleteLuAnn - I love mountains and ocean shores too. I've heard the prairies referred to as a desert - believe it or not there are similarities.
I live in Calgary and Banff is just a couple of hours away --- it's a beautiful place to visit and I feel so lucky to live so close to it's majestic mountains. What inspires me is traveling to places I have never been to. I just wish I had more money to travel though!!!
ReplyDeleteintensev5 - if I lived in Calgary I think that view of the mountains would be so tempting I'd be there all the time. Despite that, I agree - places you haven't been are even more tempting.
ReplyDeleteHey There! You were in my home territory!!!! I live in Calgary, infact, up in Edgemont (on that large hill across from Nosehill Park). I do love that space and the fact that the wilderness is very much our backyard; love that these natural corridors allow animals and humans to co-exist in relative peace (but I could tell you funny stories of cougar warnings while at the school bus stop or coyote encounters, being chased by porcupines - LOL!).
ReplyDeleteBanff is awesome too! I love it in the summer, so much to do. You should give it a shot sometime! I'm blessed to have it as my "back yard."...
Would this also count as an additional entry into the 'Cleopatra's Daughter' contest? I hope so... I really want to read it! Thanks!
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
Aliyadayada - That's amazing - talk about coincidence. Next time I visit the Nose Hill I'll climb to the top and wave LOL! Re two posts in one - yeah I can give you that. But there's plenty of other opportunity to post between now and the 17th. If you hit older posts maybe just give me the title to make things easier for me.
ReplyDeleteDrop me an email when you're in the area next time... I'd be happy to meet up for coffee or show you my town's unique aspects. :-)
ReplyDeleteAliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
Aliya - What a generous offer. I'll keep it in mind next time I'm out there.
ReplyDelete